Democrats pass "anti-war" bill that funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
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WASHINGTON: After weeks of public posturing and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Democrats in the House of Representatives secured passage Friday of an emergency spending bill that grants the Bush administration's request for over $100 billion in additional funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In what amounts to a colossal political fraud, they presented their "Troop Readiness, Veterans Health and Iraq Accountability Act" as a measure to force an end to the war in Iraq by September 1, 2008.
It does nothing of the kind. Even if a similar Democratic measure were to be passed in the Senate-and it will not-and the final bill were to survive a presidential veto-a political impossibility-the resulting law would do nothing to halt the current military escalation in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and would allow upwards of 75,000 US troops to remain in Iraq indefinitely.
The bill is a labored attempt by the Democratic leadership to pose as opponents of the Iraq war, while in practice ensuring its continuation. The vote to authorize war funding flies in the face of the will of the electorate, which expressed its desire to end the war and its opposition to the policies of the Bush administration in last November's congressional elections, overturning Republican control in both houses of Congress.
In remarks following the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went out of her way to declare her party's support for the US military and the so-called "war on terror," calling the bill "a giant step to end the war and responsibly redeploy our troops out of Iraq" so they could concentrate on Afghanistan, "where the war on terrorism is."
The Bush administration has denounced the bill and promised to veto it, in line with the White House's blanket opposition to any conditions, no matter how toothless, being placed on its war-making powers.
The bill passed by the narrowest possible margin, with 218 votes in favor and 212 opposed. Only two Republicans voted for the bill and 14 Democrats voted against it.
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Article Link
WASHINGTON: After weeks of public posturing and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Democrats in the House of Representatives secured passage Friday of an emergency spending bill that grants the Bush administration's request for over $100 billion in additional funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In what amounts to a colossal political fraud, they presented their "Troop Readiness, Veterans Health and Iraq Accountability Act" as a measure to force an end to the war in Iraq by September 1, 2008.
It does nothing of the kind. Even if a similar Democratic measure were to be passed in the Senate-and it will not-and the final bill were to survive a presidential veto-a political impossibility-the resulting law would do nothing to halt the current military escalation in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and would allow upwards of 75,000 US troops to remain in Iraq indefinitely.
The bill is a labored attempt by the Democratic leadership to pose as opponents of the Iraq war, while in practice ensuring its continuation. The vote to authorize war funding flies in the face of the will of the electorate, which expressed its desire to end the war and its opposition to the policies of the Bush administration in last November's congressional elections, overturning Republican control in both houses of Congress.
In remarks following the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went out of her way to declare her party's support for the US military and the so-called "war on terror," calling the bill "a giant step to end the war and responsibly redeploy our troops out of Iraq" so they could concentrate on Afghanistan, "where the war on terrorism is."
The Bush administration has denounced the bill and promised to veto it, in line with the White House's blanket opposition to any conditions, no matter how toothless, being placed on its war-making powers.
The bill passed by the narrowest possible margin, with 218 votes in favor and 212 opposed. Only two Republicans voted for the bill and 14 Democrats voted against it.
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